Support mechanism for a clipping machine anvil

ABSTRACT

A clipping machine having a reciprocal blade with an anvil against which the blade works being adjustable by fluid charged means to at all times locate the anvil as desired. A bottom beam of the machine, supported by the fluid charged means, carries staggered roller supports for the anvil. Said anvil is journalled in self-adjusting bearings permitting displacement of the anvil axis limited by anvil stops as gradual wear of the anvil occurs. Control means permit convenient anvil positioning for servicing of the clipper.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,850,066 Shaughnessy Nov. 26, 1974 [54] SUPPORT MECHANISM FOR A CLIPPING 2,711,792 6/1955 McFall 83/3562 MACHINE ANVIL 3,126,777 3/1964 Shabram 3,386,323 6/1968 Dovey 83/659 X [75] Inventor: Ernest P. Shaughnessy, Portland,

Oreg- Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost [73] Assignee: E. V. Proentice C0., Portland, Oreg. Attorney, Agent Fi"n-Jame$ Givnan,

[22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [21] App! N05 396,053 A clipping machine having a reciprocal blade with an anvil against which the blade works being adjustable 52 us. (:1 83/3562, 83/563, 83/582, y fluid Charged means to at all times locate the anvil 8 3 59 3/700 as desired. A bottom beam of the machine, supported 51 Int. Cl B27l 5/08 y the fluid charged means, Carries Staggered roller [58] Field of Search 83/3562, 355,563,582, pp for the anvil- Said anvil is jehrhalled in Self- 83/659, 700, 561, 562, 658 adjusting bearings permitting displacement of the anvil axis limited by anvil stops as gradual wear of the anvil [56 References Ci occurs. Control means permit convenient anvil posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS Miller 83/659 X tioning for servicing of the clipper.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTE HUV 2 6 I974 sum 2 or 2 SUPPORT MECHANISM FOR A CLIPPING MACHINE ANVIL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to clipping machines of the type having a reciprocal blade for cutting moving material at intervals, the material being supported below the blade by an anvil.

Clipping machines, referred to as clippers in wood related industries, are used in the cutting of wood veneer ribbons resulting from a log peeling operation with the segments of the wood ribbon subsequently becoming the plies of plywood panels. Conventionally, clippers may be both manually and automatically controlled with the cuts being made at desired intervals along the passing ribbon or to remove unuseable segments of the ribbon.

As discussed in US. Pat. No. 3,727,505 issued Apr. 17, 1973 and entitled Brake Mechanism For A Reciprocating Blade, the rate of veneer past a clipper will pace veneer line production In the above patent the advantages of braking a high speed clipper blade were discussed with a view towards accelerating blade speed. Additionally important to efficient wood veneer production is the avoidance of clipper down time, such down time customarily being for blade and anvil adjustment and for the clearing ofjammed wood veneer adjacent the clipper.

Conventional clipper design includes a cylindrical anvil against which the blade works during clipping action. Such anvils are provided with a resilient layer which is subject to wear reducing the anvil diameter. Accordingly, as the anvil diameter lessens it is necessary that the anvil be periodically repositioned upwardly to raise the anvil periphery to a level coplanar with the lowermost extent of blade travel. Such adjustment is critical and requires both a degree of skill and care. Obviously, when anvil adjustments must be made during a work shift the veneer clipping operation must be terminated. Improper manual adjustment of the anvil will result in excessive wear of the anvil as well as the blade.

A further problem presently encountered by conventional clippers is the difficulty with which jammed wood veneer is removed from a clipper and associated conveyor tables. Restricted clearance between clipper blade and the anvil surface, when the blade is at its upper limit, will normally be something less than three inches. Rapid blade cycling dictates close proximity between blade and anvil. In veneer jam ups where the thin veneer has become diverted from its normal path through the clipper, blade-anvil clearance is an important factor in how rapidly the clipper and veneer line may be returned to normal production. For purposes of expediting jam up clearance, presently used veneer hold down means such as belts on infed and outfeed conveyor tables are mounted on costly air actuated frames to permit raising for access to jammed veneer. Upon a jam up occurring, the veneer line must be stopped with consequent shutting down of other associated veneer operations, all of which remain idle until the veneer is cleared from and about the clipper. Lowering of the anvil for clearing out of the jammed veneer is not feasible with conventional clipper anvil support structures.

A further disadvantage to presently known clippers is the undesirable effects of increased maintenance and wear on the clipping machine in general resulting from substantial repetitive blade impacts against a rigidly supported anvil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toward providing an anvil for a clipper, the anvil supported upon pressure responsive means which automatically positions the anvil periphery at the optimum height with respect to the clipper blade lowermost limit of travel. A bottom beam assembly of the present anvil support mechanism is biased upwardly by said pressure responsive means whereby anvil supporting rollers act along the anvil to seat same upwardly against stationary limit stops. Regardless of changes occurring in anvil diameter by reason of anvil wear, the linear anvil surface below the knife will at all times remain at an optimum height without periodic manual adjustment. Bellows may constitute the pressure responsive means for support of the bottom beam assembly thereby providing aa degree re siliently to lessen deleterious impacts to the clipper from blade-anvil contact. Circuitry providing a pressure regulated fluid source to the bellows permit the clipper anvil to be rapidly lowered to an inoperative position for purposes of rapidly clearing the clipper blade ofjammed veneer as well as for blade maintenance.

Important objects of the present invention include the provision of; a bottom beam assembly for a clipping machine for support of the clipper anvil in a manner compensating for anvil wear thereby avoiding the arduous time consuming manual task of anvil adjustment; a bottom beam assembly including a series of staggered anvil supporting rollers located along the anvil length of the anvil supporting same for anvil rotation about a true axis to assure minimal, uniform anvil wear; a bottom beam assembly supported upon fluid charged means to minimize the effects of blade-anvil contact on the clipper machine frame; a bottom beam assembly including anvil limit stops which retain the upwardly biased anvil at an optimum height relative to the lowermost limit of blade travel; a bottom beam assembly including pressure responsive means in communication with pressure regulating components permitting rapid repositioning of the bottom beam assembly and anvil downwardly away from the clipper blade to provide a blade-anvil clearance for the removal of jammed veneer and subsequent rapid return of the anvil to its operative position; a bottom beam assembly including self-adjusting anvil bearings adapted for vertical movement relative to the remainder of said assembly to compensate for wear of the cylindrical anvil surface to at all times assure the desired relationship between a linear surface of the anvil and the blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a clipper machine having a bottom beam assembly of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of one end of the bottom beam assembly with the clipper frame shown in dashed lines,

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken alongirreguiar line 3-3 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a view taken downwardly along line 44 of FIG. 3 showing details of a self-adjusting bearing for the anvil,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showing limit stop means for the anvil with a worn anvil and anvil supporting rollers shown in an elevated position in dashed lines compensating for anvil wear, and

FIG. 6 is a schematic of the bottom beam assembly and fluid regulating components thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS lows may be described as convoluted, reinforced rubber devices having top and bottom plate members 22A-22B which serve to mount the bellows to the support structure with the latter bearing against the underside of beam 21. Under varying loads, the bellows walls will flex important to present impact reducing objectives. Additionally, a reduction in the bellows internal pressure, as later described, permits rapid lowering of beam 21 and hence anvil 20 for clearing of jammed veneer.

Anvil support means in the form of rollers at 23 are staggered along opposite sides and below the anvil centerline supporting the full length of the elongate anvil to prevent undesired anvil deflection. Intermediate the support rollers 23 are bearing supports 24 which receive the ends of roller shafts 23A. As the anvil constitutes considerable mass and is of an elongate nature it is highly desirable to support same along its entire length for purposes of rotation about a true axis for uniform wear of the anvil surface. Commonly, rotatably I mounted anvils include a sleeve of sturdy elastomeric by conveyor tables conventionally associated with such clippers. Such tables (not shown) include continuous, powered means above and below the veneer to assure veneer delivery to the clipper in a substantially flat condition. Not uncommonly, veneer by reason of its thin, flexible nature will overlap adjacent veneer segments of the ribbon or otherwise go astray to cause a jam up at the clipper. To facilitate access to veneer jam ups at or adjacent a clipper it is common to mount such belts on pneumatically positioned frames all at considerable expense. Contributing to the difficulty in the clearing of such jam ups is the restricted blade to anvil clearance which in conventional clippers is normally somewhat less than three inches.

A frame of the clipper comprises a welded steel structure which supports various clipper components. Downwardly diverging leg members 12 support a top beam assembly 13 from which a toggle linkage 14 depends, the linkage carrying a blade 15 extending lengthwise of the clipper. The clipper frame additionally includes crossmembers 16 intermediate the legs 12 which support later fluid charged means.

Suspended below the ends of top beam 13 are air cylinders 17 with piston rods 17A in driving connection with a main toggle bar 18. Powered movement of bar 18 from one extreme to its opposite position of rest drives blade 15 downwardly and upwardly through one complete cutting cycle in a forceful manner with the blade edge passing through the veneer into contact with an anvil at 20. Cycling of the blade may be by an operator or by automatic means, the latter sensing both linear veneer passage and unsuitable veneer sections to be removed by clipping.

' The present invention is embodied within the following described structure and includes what may be termed a bottom beam assembly consisting of a floating beam 21 extending lengthwise of the clipper and supported by fluid charged means in the form of convoluted bellow structures 22 located adjacent the ends of the beam. Framemembers 16 mount the bellows in any suitable manner below the beam centerline. One suitable bellows are those manufactured by the Firestone Corporation and marketed under the trademark AIR- STROKE and are used with a hydraulic medium in the present application as opposed to air. Briefly the be]- material such as a polyurethane which is replaced peri odically as sleeve diameter reaches a reduced size by wear resulting from blade contact. Further, clipper anvils are customarily rotatably mounted to assure uniform wear about the anvil periphery.

Adjacent each end of anvil 20 are pairs of anvil limit means in the form of stops 2526 as best viewed in FIGS. 2 and 5, the latter view being typical of the remaining pair of stops. The pairs of stops bear upon end segments of the anvil which segments are also subjected to wear by blade contact by reason of the cutting edge extending the length of the anvil surface. Blade 15 extends intermediate each pair of stops 25-26 to assure uniform blade induced wear on those anvil segments contacting the stops resulting in said segments being representative of the entire anvil surface.

Each stop element 25-26 has an arcuate surface 25A26A against which the anvil is upwardly biased by the fluid charged means earlier described. The pressure regulating components associated with the bellows permits precise regulation of the bellows internal pressure to effect light, almost pressureless contact of the anvil peripheral segments against stop surfaces 25A-26A. Said surfaces are formed on an arc corresponding to the radius of the anvil as installed and may be chromed for wear reduction.

Mounting of stops to the clipper legs 12 is by means of a plate 27 having stop reinforcing gussets 28 with the plate in bolted attachment as at 30 with frame mounted ears 31. Slotted openings in plate 27 for the reception of bolt assemblies permits plate adjustment by studs 32 and lock nuts 33 cooperating with bosses 34 carried by ears 31. The positioning of stops 25-26 would be made only at the time of initial clipper installation within a wood veneer plant.

With attention to FIGS. 2-4, bottom beam 21 is provided with integral upright extensions 37 which move with the beam. As typically shown in FIG. 3 each plate 37 is confined for vertical movement between multiple pairs of guide rollers 38. Frame mounted plates 40 carry the rollers and additionally guide the bottom beam 21 and specifically upright extensions 37 thereon confining same against lateral displacement. Relieved areas 41 in the plates 40 permit unobstructed travel of bellows.

Each beam upright extension 37 is provided with bearing slides 42 within which bearing bosses 43 are slidably carried for vertical travel. Anvil spindles at 44 are journalled within said bosses with the vertically movable bosses permitting gradual upward compensating movement of the anvil axis as wear reduces the anvil diameter to at all times locate a linear surface on the anvil at a constant height. Gradual lifting of bottom beam 21 by the biasing action of bellows 22 causes anvil supporting rollers 23 to seat the anvil end seg ments against pairs of stops 25-26 regardless of anvil wear. The support rollers 23 as best viewed in FIG. 5, exert an even lifting force on the anvil regardless of diameter changes of the anvil. Accordingly the anvil surface is at all times disposed at a height for optimum cooperation with blade 15. Blade impact forces imparted to the anvil are borne by the rollers 23, beam 21 and ultimately bellows 22 which cushion such forces.

The schematic of FIG. 6 discloses a control system for the fluid charging of bellows 22 including an air-oil accumulator 45 supplied with a source of pressurized air via line 44 regulated at 46. A hydraulic line 47 includes a variable flow control valve 48. A two position, three way valve 50 also in line 47, permits the bellows to be partially bled while directing a bellows discharge flow to a reservoir 51. A second flow control valve at 52 in a line 53 meters the bellows discharge.

In setting up a clipper embodying the present improvement, the regulated air pressure in line 44 will determine the inflation pressure of bellows 22 which will be of a value adequate to impart a lifting force to bot-' tom beam 21, rollers 23 and anvil to the extent the end segments of anvil 20 are seated upwardly with a minimum of force against stop surfaces A-26A which will remain stationary assuming replacement anvils are of the same diameter. Guides at 29 confine plate 27 for vertical adjustment travel. Internal bellows pressure beyond what is necessary to accomplish the foregoing is undesirable in that excessive anvil wear will occur in the area of the stops 25-26 while additionally the cushioning capability of the bellows is reduced. Periodic adjustment of the anvil is no longer necessary as was the case with anvil supported on screw jacks or other manually adjustable means.

Anvil 20 may be powered independently by a motor mounted on the clipper frame driving through a reduction drive or, alternatively, driven by associated veneer conveying equipment via a transfer drive such as a roller chain-sprocket drive.

While fluid charged bellows are shown and described, other fluid charged means may be utilized to support beam 21, such other means being for example conventional hydraulic cylinders. The present bellows may be further described as being hermetically sealed, constructed of neoprene rubber reinforced by cord plies which permit limited flexing of the bellows walls under momentary loads thereby cushioning blade impact forces.

While I have shown but one embodiment of the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured under a Letters Patent is:

1. In a clipping machine having a reciprocating blade actuated at intervals for cutting material at desired intervals, the improvement comprising,

an anvil having a material supporting surface subject to wear, a beam below said anvil, support means disposed along said beam and sup: porting the anvil,

fluid charged means supporting said beam and biasing said support means and hence said anvil upwardly to a desired height for optimum blade and anvil cooperation, said fluid chargedmeans responsive to variable internal pressures and thereby positionable through a vertical stroke permitting substantial blade-anvil clearance for clearing of material from the clipping machine,

a control system for regulating communication of said fluid charged means with a pressure source,

and

limit means adjacent the anvil ends limiting upward travel of the anvil,

said fluid charged means urging said anvil upwardly against said limit means whereby gradual wear of the anvil surface is compensated for by elevation of the anvil axis.

2. The improvement claimed in claim 1 wherein said anvil is cylindrical having axially projecting spindles, bearing means receiving said spindles and adapted for vertical sliding movement coincident with vertical movement of the anvil axis.

3. The improvement claimed in claim 2 wherein said control system includes valve means for bleeding fluid from the fluid charged means facilitating rapid substantial downward movement of the anvil permitting clearing of jammed material from the machine.

4. The improvement claimed in claim 3 wherein said beam includes upright extensions at its ends, guide means acting intermediate said extensions and the clipper machine frame to confine the beam against lateral displacement.

5. In a veneer clipping machine having a reciprocating blade carried by the machine frame and actuated at intervals for cutting material at desired intervals, a rotatable anvil having a cylindrical resilient surface subject to wear, the improvement comprising,

a beam in parallel disposition below the anvil, rollers supporting the anvil, said rollers mounted on the beam on opposite sides of the anvil centerline,

bellows having a circumferential flexible wall of convoluted elastomeric construction supporting said beam and normally biasing same and the anvil upwardly whereby the latter is positioned for optimum blade anvil cooperation, said bellows responsive to variable internal fluid pressures and thereby actuable through a vertical stroke permitting displacement of the anvil downwardly for clearing of veneer from the clipping machine, said bellows additionally responsive to impact loads imparted to the anvil to cushion same,

a controlsystem for regulating communication of the bellows interior with a pressuresource, said system including valve means for bleeding bellows pressure for lowering of the anvil, and

limit means carried by the machine frame and contactable with the cylindrical anvil surface for retention of same at the desired height,

7. The improvement claimed in claim 6 wherein said limit means comprises pairs of stops with the stops of each pair oppositely spaced apart above the anvil centerline, the clipping machine blade passing intermediate the stops to subject that segment of the anvil contacting the stops to blade wear to assure uniform wear of the anvil surface and precise positioning of a linear surface of the anvil for cooperation with the blade.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,850,066 Dated November 26, 1974 Inventor(s) Ernest P, Shaggnnessv It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Change the designation of the Assignee to read as follows; E. V. Prentice Co. Portland, Oregon.

Column 2, lines 21 and 22, change aa degree resiliently" to read a degree of resiliently Signed and sealed this 22nd day of April 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks FORM powso 069) uscoMM-oc scan-Pas u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1 

1. In a clipping machine having a reciprocating blade actuated at intervals for cutting material at desired intervals, the improvement comprising, an anvil having a material supporting surface subject to wear, a beam below said anvil, support means disposed along said beam and supporting the anvil, fluid charged means supporting said beam and biasing said support means and hence said anvil upwardly to a desired height for optimum blade and anvil cooperation, said fluid charged means responsive to variable internal pressures and thereby positionable through a vertical stroke permitting substantial blade-anvil clearance for clearing of material from the clipping machine, a control system for regulating communication of said fluid charged means with a pressure source, and limit means adjacent the anvil ends limiting upward travel of the anvil, said fluid charged means urging said anvil upwardly against said limit means whereby gradual wear of the anvil surface is compensated for by elevation of the anvil axis.
 2. The improvement claimed in claim 1 wherein said anvil is cylindrical having axially projecting spindles, bearing means receiving said spindles and adapted for vertical sliding movement coincident with vertical movement of the anvil axis.
 3. The improvement claimed in claim 2 wherein said control system includes valve means for bleeding fluid from the fluid charged means facilitating rapid substantial downward movement of the anvil permitting clearing of jammed material from the machine.
 4. The improvement claimed in claim 3 wherein said beam includes upright extensions at its ends, guide means acting intermediate said extensions and the clipper machine frame to confine the beam against lateral displacement.
 5. In a veneer clipping machine having a reciprocating blade carried by the machine frame and actuated at intervals for cutting material at desired intervals, a rotatable anvil having a cylindrical resilient surface subject to wear, the improvement comprising, a beam in parallel disposition below the anvil, rollers supporting the anvil, said rollers mounted on the beam on opposite sides of the anvil centerline, bellows having a circumferential flexible wall of convoluted elastomeric construction supporting said beam and normally biasing same and the anvil upwardly whereby the latter is positioned for optimum blade anvil cooperation, said bellows responsive to variable internal fluid pressures and thereby actuable through a vertical stroke permitting displacement of the anvil downwardly for clearing of veneer from the clipping machine, said bellows additionally responsive to impact loads imparted to the anvil to cushion same, a control system for regulating communication of the bellows interior with a pressure source, said system including valve means for bleeding bellows pressure for lowering of the anvil, and limit means carried by the machine frame and contactable with the cylindrical anvil surface for retention of same at the desired height, said bellows urging said anvil upwardly against said limit means whereby gradual wear of the anvil surface is compensated for by gradual elevation of the anvil axis.
 6. The improvement claimed in claim 5 additionally including bearing means receiving the anvil ends, said bearing means adapted for vertical sliding movement coincident with vertical movement of the anvil axis permitting both anvil movement upon blade impact and upward wear compensating movement of the anvil.
 7. The improvement claimed in claim 6 wherein said limit means comprises pairs of stops with the stops of each pair oppositely spaced apart above the anvil centerline, the clipping machine blade passing intermediate the stops to subject that segment of the anvil contacting the stops to blade wear to assure uniform wear of the anvil surface and precise positioning of a linear surface of the anvil for cooperation with the blade. 